Music

April 29, 2013

If you are looking for a way to lift your spirit, I believe I have discovered the perfect opportunity for you. The Region 8 Community is coming together again this year for The Role of Music in the Lives of Special Needs Children and Adults. This evening of music has been organized for the 4th year by the Treble Clef Club. There will be 11 acts performing at Riceland Hall at the ASU Fowler Center on Tuesday, April 30th at 7 p-m. Admission is free. To see the joy in the faces of these children and adults is so amazing, because for this night, they forget about everything and just get to enjoy the music. Organizer Julia Lansford told our Diana Davis that it's sometimes hard to tell who is enjoying the evening more, the performers or the audience. I want to encourage you to take some time to attend this wonderful event and allow the performances to bring joy to your heart. It's events like this that recognize these wonderful talents that make this A Better Region 8.

March 08, 2013

Before joining the Region 8 family, I worked in Memphis. One of the most incredible things I got to do while working there was tour St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As most of you know, St. Jude's is one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. You might think St Jude would be a sad place, but that is just not the case. It was one of the happiest and most positive experiences of my life. I was inspired by the hope and happiness that exudes the hallways of St Jude. In 1989, a radio fundraising program began for St Jude after Randy Owen, lead singer for Alabama, met St Jude founder Danny Thomas. Country Cares has grown to one of the most successful radio fundraising events in the nation with more than 200 radio station partners. One of those partners is Thunder Country 96 point 3 in Blytheville. Our partners at Thunder Country will be raising money for St Jude on Friday and Saturday. You will be able to make a pledge by calling 1-800-737-0096 or by visiting Thunder Country's website at thunder country 963 dot com. Giving to Country Cares, and continuing the fight against cancer will make this A Better Region 8.

December 10, 2012

We often hear too many negative things our young people are into and that's important so we can keep a close eye on our kids and get them help if needed. But this time around, I want to highlight a positive story about a young man from Region 8 who is making his mark in the music world. Joseph VanScoy is a senior at Jonesboro High School, and was honored earlier this week by The United States Army and the National Association for Music Education. VanScoy will be one of only 125 band and color guard members *nation-wide* to perform at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio on January 5th. That is an elite group of talented musicians, and tremendous accolades for a senior right here in Region 8. I would like to say Way to Go Joseph! Region 8 is very proud of you. Let's celebrate and recognize what our young people are doing right. That will go a long way to making this A Better Region 8.